Things to do in New Orleans: Outdoor Activities

Audubon Park: Located Uptown in the Garden District, this park is full of romantic, sweeping oak trees, lagoons, and miles of walking and cycling trails. If you have an interest in zoos, Audubon Park is also home to the Audubon Zoo. As a tourist, it's easy to navigate via streetcar from Downtown, which only adds to its charm as you ride a historic trolly through the ever beautiful Garden District. This is the perfect park for a picnic or promenade, and a low-key balance to hedonism in the Quarter.

New Orleans City Park: Located Midtown, New Orleans City Park is more than just a park - it's a mecca of outdoor activities. With a botanical garden, a children's amusement park, 18-hole golf course, and multiple lagoons with boat rentals, you can easily spend a day outdoors without leaving the city. The City Park is also host to the New Orleans Museum of Art and The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a five acre sculpture garden (with free admission).

Swamp Tour: The South, New Orleans, and Louisiana are famous for their swamps, marshlands, and alligators, so this is a perfect chance to get out of the city to see for yourself. There are multiple tour companies that offer pick up from downtown hotels, or you can opt to drive yourself about 45 minutes across Lake Pontchartrain to the marshlands. Make the choice of boat type depending on age and adrenaline levels in your party, but there's something special about the air boat and kayak tours. The air boats are a pure adrenaline rush, whereas the kayaks allow you to quietly observe the wildlife and be fully immersed in the environment. Any way you choose, it's amazing to see the swamps in person.

Ghost and Cemetery Tours: Look, full disclosure: they have the potential to be a bit gimmicky, but that only adds to the appeal. For any fans of American Horror Show, Anne Rice, and/or pioneer cemeteries, a New Orleans Ghost and Cemetery Tour is a must do. A lot of people are fully convinced New Orleans is haunted, so pick a daytime or evening tour whichever you're feeling brave enough to do.

Biking Tour or Rental: One of my favorite ways to see the city is via a slow paced cruiser. Tour companies supply bikes with beverage holders, so you can explore the city with drink in hand - or handlebar. Take your pick of cultural, drink, or food tours and laissez les bons temps rouler, or just rent a bike and explore on your own.

Fishing: The Southern Bayou is known for its seafood, so take advantage of the local bounty and go fishing inland for trout and flounder - or charter a boat out to the Gulf of Mexico for bigger game, like marlin. Any day on a boat is a good day.

Self Guided Walking Tours: If you're a fan of looking at fancy houses while on vacation, this is a great, low-stakes outdoor activity to do in New Orleans.

In general, you should eat as you wander at cheap and fast joints. Beignets are a must (Cafe du Monde and Cafe Beignet are the local staples), along with po-boys (I think dressed fried shrimp is the best) and muffulettas (I recommend Central Grocery & Deli in the Quarter). For dinner or weekend brunch, I recommend making a reservation for your party ahead of time, as tables fill up fast and you could otherwise wait a while. Lastly, there are no open container laws in NOLA, so you can take your cocktails/drinks to go. A lot of people decorate and bring their own cups, which is considered more than okay!

Jewel of the South (French Quarter) - Exquisite cocktail bar and restaurant with top-notch service and a romantic patio in the Quarter. They have all the favorites and will make any drink your heart desires.

Gianna Restaurant (CBD) - Rustic wood-fired Italian with a Southern twist. Really good meatballs!

Two Chicks Cafe (CBD) - Great Southern diner-style breakfast with warm and friendly service. Their waffles are amazing topped with fresh fruit, and their lemonade will cure your hangover.

Molly’s Rise and Shine (Garden District) - Delicious and hearty breakfast biscuit sandwiches in a 90’s nostalgia setting. Where's Waldo?

Saffron Nola (Garden District) - Tasty modern Indian cuisine with fantastic martinis.

Hivolt Coffee (Garden District) - Cool, hipster coffee shop with made-to-order sandwiches, burritos, hot plates, and pastries.

Lilette (Garden District) - Contemporary French bistro and another local favorite. Reservations recommended for dinner.

Commander’s Palace (Garden District) - A New Orleans institution. Perfect stop on your way to Audubon Park if coming from Downtown. I love their prix fixe weekend Jazz Brunch (Turtle Soup and Bread Pudding Souffle). Be aware there is an enforced dress code. Business attire, jackets are preferred for gentlemen. Collared shirts and closed-toe shoes are required for gentlemen and no shorts, flip flops, t-shirts, sweats, and/or jeans. Seersucker is highly encouraged.

Jacques Imo’s (Carrollton) - Another New Orleans uptown mainstay serving up authentic Cajun fare. The wait can be long, so I recommend arriving before you’re famished. Head next door to the Maple Leaf Bar for live music after dinner.

Elizabeth’s (Bywater) - Authentic southern brunch in the Bywater district with amazing waffles, praline bacon, and bloody marys. Be nice or leave!

Toups Meatery (Mid City) - If you're visiting City Park, stop by here for lunch. This is THE place for Po Boys in Nola. Reservations recommended for dinner (walk-ins ok for lunch).